Three dimensional adapter element for interconnecting a metal stud to a further and angularly extending stud

ABSTRACT

An adapter element particularly suited for interconnecting a first stud to an angularly extending end of a further metal stud. The adapter element includes a three dimensional configuration defining, in cross section, a substantially rectangular shape with first, second, third and fourth interconnected sides, a top and a bottom. The top is further recessed in three dimensional fashion and to facilitate the installation of fasteners adapted to secure the adapter element to a selected face of the first stud. An additional plurality of fasteners are adapted to engage the extending end of the metal stud to over the interconnecting sides of the insert and upon the metal stud being slidably engaged over the insert.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to adapter or interconnecting type elements for use in connecting building framing members. More particularly, the present invention discloses a three dimensionally shaped adapter element particularly suited for interconnecting an extending end of a conventionally configured metal stud to a further and angularly extending stud, this further ideally being a wood stud as well as potentially a further metal stud.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The prior art is well documented with examples building and framing construction, such further typically include the use of either conventional wooden or metal studs. Unlike wooden studs, steel studs are extruded or otherwise formed to include a substantially rectangular profile in cross section and further include one extending side in which a pair of flat edges extend in a desired and spaced apart fashion along the substantial length of the steel stud.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,176, issued to Hunt, teaches a combination (typically “C” or “U” shaped) metal and composite stud. In relevant part, an insert is disclosed (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is constructed of a softer material and located at strategically placed points on the stud. The softer materials are disclosed as including such as wood, composite materials, plastic or fiberglass combinations. Pointed fastening devices such as nails and/or screws are disclosed for fastening other structural components to the stud such as wall panels and other commonly used materials. Nails are also disclosed as being used at the blocking points of the stud and screws where there is no blocking.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,121, issued to DeFrancesco et al., teaches the use of an insert provided for a metal stud, the insert being sized and configured to be snugly but slidably received within the stud. The insert further discloses an elongate slot defined in each side wall and which is located so as to allow fasteners to secure a sheet of covering material to the stud without interfering with the ability of the insert to move longitudinally with respect to the stud, such as in the event of a three dimensionally shaped adapter element particularly suited for interconnecting an extending end of a conventionally configured metal stud to a further and angularly extending stud, this further ideally being a wood stud as well as potentially a further metal stud.

[0007] overloading.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,859, issued to Horton, teaches a metal wall stud in the shape of an elongated open channel having pre-punched nail or screw holes and pre-punched passageways for electrical or plumbing facilities. Of relevant note, and referring in particular to FIG. 7, a variant of the stud wall design is shown in which the wall stud is connected to a wooden bottom plate. Particular note is also made of the side by side tabs 35 extending from the bottom of the metal stud and including apertures defined therein for securing to a top surface of the wooden stud.

[0009] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,848, issued to Deffet, teaches a similar variation of a metal stud which is usable as a replacement for vertical wood studs in the framing of walls or partitions. The metal stud 10 also includes similar extending tabs 36 for securing to the associated and lower-most horizontally extending members (see at 32). The remaining references represent the balance of the relevant art and are worth going through.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0010] The present invention is a three dimensionally shaped adapter element particularly suited for interconnecting an extending end of a conventionally configured metal stud to a further and angularly extending stud, this further ideally being a wood stud as well as potentially a further metal stud. The present invention is further an improvement over prior art adapting or interconnecting elements for securing a first steel stud to a second stud in that it provides both an improved configuration for effectuating securing to the further extending stud, combined with ability to effectively secure the angularly extending and interconnecting end of the associated steel stud.

[0011] The insert includes a three dimensional configuration defining, in cross section, a substantially rectangular configuration and including first, second, third and fourth interconnected sides, a top and a bottom. A plurality of recessed surfaces are defined in association with the insert top and in order to facilitate the installation of fasteners adapted to secure the adapter element to a selected face of the first stud. The insert is typically constructed from a material such as a plastic, plastic composite, nylon, or polymerized composition and which exhibits the necessary properties of strength and resiliency, as well as the ability to receive in engaging fashion therethrough fasteners such as mounting screws.

[0012] In a first preferred embodiment, the recessed surfaces further define a three dimensionally configured and concave shaped recess within the top of the insert. In a secondary embodiment, the recessed surfaces are further defined as first, second and third planar and angularly inward and downward extending surfaces, these extending from associated first, second and third sides of the insert. The inwardly recessed top according to this further embodiment also extends in interconnecting fashion with the recessed boundaries defined by said first, second and third extending surfaces and to facilitate installation of fasteners for securing to the face of the first extending stud.

[0013] An additional plurality of fasteners are also adapted to engage the angularly extending end of the metal stud both over and to the interconnecting sides of the insert and upon the metal stud being slidably engaged over the insert. The first stud typically also has an elongate extending length with a specified cross sectional shape, a further interconnecting face of the first stud receiving in abutting and elongate extending fashion a length of trim fascia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed descriptions, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the three dimensionally shaped adapter element according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is an exploded environmental view, also in perspective, and illustrating the manner in which the adapter element is secured to an extending facing side of a wooden stud and in turn is seatingly received by an extending end of a further angularly extending metal stud prior to application of fasteners;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a cutaway view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and illustrating in cross section the manner in which the steel stud is secured to the insertingly received adapter element;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the three dimensionally shaped adapter element according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019]FIG. 5 is an exploded environmental view, also in perspective, and illustrating the manner in which the adapter element shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4 is secured to an extending facing side of a steel stud and in turn is seatingly received by an extending end of a further angularly extending metal stud prior to application of fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a three dimensionally shaped adapter element is illustrated at 10 for use in securing a first extending stud 12 to an extending end of a second and angularly disposed stud 14. As described previously, the studs are typically provided as both conventional wooden extending studs (see at 12), as well as metal studs (see at 14). It is a desired advantage of the present invention to be able to interchangeably utilize steel studs with both wooden studs as well as additional steel studs in a unique manner and in order to cut down on material costs as well as to maximize the application of the material properties particular to both wooden and steel studs.

[0021] As is further well known, the wooden studs 12 typically include an elongate extending length and a solid rectangular cross section with extending and interconnected side faces 16 and 18 and edge faces 20 and 22 and which further terminate in extending end faces (see also at 24 in FIG. 2). The steel studs 14 are also conventionally known to include an extruded or otherwise formed construction also exhibiting a substantially rectangular and internally hollowed profile in cross section with three extending and interconnecting sides 26, 28 and 30, as well as a pair of flat edges 32 and 34 extending in inward and opposing fashion from extending ends of the sides 28 and 30 and defining substantially a fourth extending side of the steel stud. As with the wooden stud 12, the steel stud 14 terminates at opposite extending ends, one of which is illustrated at 36 in the partial view in FIG. 2.

[0022] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the adapter element 10 includes a three dimensional configuration defining, in cross section, a substantially rectangular configuration and including first 38, second 40, third 42 and fourth 44 interconnected sides, a top 46 and a bottom 48. The insert is typically constructed from a material such as a plastic, plastic composite, nylon, or polymerized composition and which exhibits the necessary properties of strength and resiliency, as well as the ability to receive in engaging fashion therethrough fasteners such as mounting screws. The advantage of constructing the insert from such a synthetic material is the ability to quickly and inexpensively manufacture the insert according to a specified set of dimensions, it being further understood that the insert is also capable of being constructed of other suitable materials, both synthetic and man made, so long as the required dimensions and suitable recessing of the top is accommodating for installation.

[0023] A plurality of recessed surfaces are defined in association with the insert top 46 and in order to facilitate the installation of fasteners, see at 50 and 52 in FIGS. 2 and 3, are adapted to secure the adapter element 10 to selected face 16 of the first stud wooden stud 12. In the preferred embodiment, the recessed surfaces are further defined as a three dimensionally configured and concave shaped recess defined within the top 46 of the insert 10. In particular, and as best shown in FIG. 1, the concave recess includes arcuate and curved side walls, see at 54, 56, 58 and 60, which correspond to sides 38, 40, 42 and 44, as well as a recessed bottom wall 62 into which are inserted the fasteners 50 and 52.

[0024] Referring again to FIG. 2, additional pluralities of fasteners 64, 66, 68 and 70 are adapted to engage the metal stud 14 proximate its extending end 36 and upon the metal stud being slidably engaged over the opposing, abutting and corresponding sides 38, 40, 42 and 44 of the insert 10. Specifically, it is desired that the dimensioning of the rectangular sides of the insert are sufficiently close to the interior open channel defined by the metal stud 14 and so that a fairly tight fit is established prior to the application of the plurality of fasteners 64, 66, 68 and 70. The extending sides 38-44 of the insert 10 further define adequate shouldering support to prevent the extending metal stud 14 from bending or buckling in use, such as during the assembly of either stand alone or load bearing walls. As is shown FIG. 2, the interconnecting edge face 20 of the first wooden stud 12 likewise exhibits an elongate extending length and so that a length of trim fascia 72 may be secured thereto. Although not shown, it is typically understood that a layer of a wallboard or wallcovering material (such as commercially known as “drywall”) may be applied over the edge face 20 and prior to application of other elements, such as the trim fascia 72.

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an adapter element 74 is illustrated according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The adapter element 74 again includes a three dimensional configuration defining, in cross section, a substantially rectangular configuration and including first 76, second 78, third 80 and fourth 82 interconnected sides, a top 84 and a bottom 86. The insert is once again typically constructed from a material such as a plastic, plastic composite, nylon, or polymerized composition and which exhibits the necessary properties of strength and resiliency, as well as the ability to receive in engaging fashion therethrough fasteners such as mounting screws.

[0026] In the secondary embodiment, the recessed surfaces are further defined as first 88, second 90 and third 92 planar and angularly inward and downward extending surfaces, these extending from the associated first 78, second 80 and third 82 sides of the insert 74. The inwardly recessed top 84 according to this further embodiment also extends in interconnecting fashion with the recessed boundaries, see at 94, 96 and 98 respectively, defined by the first 88, second 90 and third 92 extending surfaces and to facilitate installation of the pluralities of fasteners, e.g. at 64, 66, 68 and 70 as again shown in FIG. 5, for securing the insert 74 to the first stud.

[0027] As further shown in FIG. 5, the first stud in this instance may, alternatively to a wooden stud, be a first steel stud 24′ having a substantially rectangular and internally hollowed profile in cross section with three extending and interconnecting sides 26′, 28′ and 30′, as well as a pair of flat edges 32′ and 34′ extending in inward and opposing fashion from extending ends of the sides 28′ and 30′ and defining substantially a fourth extending side of the steel stud. Again, the steel stud 14′ terminates at opposite extending ends, one of which is illustrated at 36′ in the partial view in FIG. 2 and further showing the insert 74 engaged upon the facing side 26′.

[0028] The second angularly extending and interconnecting steel stud is shown at 14″ and, consistent with the explanation given in the detailed description of the first preferred embodiment, is slidingly inserted and engaged over the associated sides 76, 78, 80 and 82 of the insert 74. Reference is made to associated sides 26″, 28″ and 30″, as well as extending flat edges 32″ and 34″ for seatingly engaging over the insert sides 76-82 and prior to engaging the pluralities of fasteners again shown at 64-70.

[0029] Having described my invention, additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims. In particular, it is understood that, in addition to typical wall framing constructions, the adapter element of the present invention can also be utilized with angularly disposed and extending studs arranged in both perpendicular floor construction arrangements, as well as angular ceiling installation applications. It is also understood that the shape and configuration of the adapter insert can additionally be modified to any other configuration and in which a suitable recessing is defined in its top for facilitating the installation of the mounting fasteners and for engaging the insert to the selected extending face of the first stud prior to angularly extending engagement of the associated end of the second steel stud. 

I claim:
 1. An adapter element particularly suited for interconnecting a first stud to an angularly extending end of a further metal stud, said adapter element comprising: a three dimensional configuration defining, in cross section, a substantially rectangular configuration and including first, second, third and fourth interconnected sides, a top and a bottom; at least one recessed surface being defined in association with said top and facilitating the installation of at least one fastener adapted to secure said adapter element to a selected face of the first stud; and an additional plurality of fasteners adapted to engage the extending end of the metal stud to said interconnecting sides of said insert and upon the metal stud being slidably engaged over said insert.
 2. The adapter element as described in claim 1, said at least one recessed surface further comprising a further three dimensionally configured and concave shaped recess defined within said top of said insert.
 3. The adapter element as described in claim 1, said at least one recessed surface further comprising first, second and third planar and angularly inward and downward extending surfaces extending from associated first, second and third sides of said insert, said top extending in interconnecting fashion with recessed boundaries defined by said first, second and third extending surfaces.
 4. The adapter element as described in claim 1, the first stud having an elongate extending length with a specified cross sectional shape, a further interconnecting face of the first stud receiving in abutting and elongate extending fashion a length of trim fascia.
 5. The adapter element as described in claim 1, said insert having a specified shape and size and being constructed from a material comprising at least one of a plastic, plastic composite, nylon and polymerized composition.
 6. An adapter element particularly suited for interconnecting a first stud to an angularly extending end of a further metal stud, said adapter element comprising: a three dimensional configuration defining, in cross section, a substantially rectangular configuration and including first, second, third and fourth interconnected sides, a top and a bottom; at least one recessed surface being defined in association with said top and facilitating the installation of at least one fastener adapted to secure said adapter element to a selected face of the first stud, said at least one recessed surface further comprising a further three dimensionally configured and concave shaped recess defined within said top of said insert; and an additional plurality of fasteners adapted to engage the extending end of the metal stud to said interconnecting sides of said insert and upon the metal stud being slidably engaged over said insert.
 7. An adapter element particularly suited for interconnecting a first stud to an angularly extending end of a further metal stud, said adapter element comprising: a three dimensional configuration defining, in cross section, a substantially rectangular configuration and including first, second, third and fourth interconnected sides, a top and a bottom; at least one recessed surface being defined in association with said top and facilitating the installation of at least one fastener adapted to secure said adapter element to a selected face of the first stud, said at least one recessed surface further comprising first, second and third planar and angularly inward and downward extending surfaces extending from associated first, second and third sides of said insert, said top extending in interconnecting fashion with recessed boundaries defined by said first, second and third extending surfaces; and an additional plurality of fasteners adapted to engage the extending end of the metal stud to said interconnecting sides of said insert and upon the metal stud being slidably engaged over said insert. 